Central Team Rushed to Assam After 21 Deaths Due to Japanese Encephalitis

After the death of 21 people due to Japanese Encephalitis (JE) across Assam, the Union Health Ministry has rushed a team to the state, revealed an official on Monday.

The Central team, headed by Additional Secretary Sanjeeva Kumar and senior officers from the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Program, is reviewing the situation.

What You Should Know about Japanese Encephalitis - Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
Japanese encephalitis is a mosquito borne viral disease associated with inflammation of the brain.

‘Japanese Encephalitis (JE) spreads through mosquito bites causing headache, vomiting, confusion, and difficulty in moving. Swelling around the brain, coma and sometimes, even death occurs in the later stage.’

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"A total of 69 cases of JE are reported out of which 21 deaths have taken place in past three months.

"Most of the JE cases have taken places in Upper Assam districts. The overall situation is under control but we are monitoring the situation for two crucial months, July and August, which are still left," Sanjeeva Kumar said.

Noting that the child vaccine program has gone up by 18 per cent, he said that there is a need to boost the adult vaccine program too.

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Zika virus is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes which causes mild fever with maculopapular rash. No treatment or vaccine is currently available.

Source-IANS

Vector-Borne Diseases | Insect-Borne Diseases | Bug-Borne Diseases
Vector-borne diseases are infectious diseases or illness transmitted through insects such as mosquitoes, sandflies, ticks, and bugs. Vectors can be either biological carriers or mechanical carriers.

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